Week seventeen of pregnancy is an exciting one; you might feel your baby move! Your baby bump is growing, and you will look pregnant. While this is an exciting time, it is expected to feel anxious or stressed, but there is help for you! You don’t need to feel like this alone.
What else happens in week seventeen of pregnancy? That is what we are here to tell you! Keep reading to see what happens in the seventeenth week of pregnancy, including the common symptoms, if you can detect a heartbeat and more!
What’s Coming Up In The Article?
- What Does It Mean To Be 17 Weeks Pregnant?
- Can You Detect Pregnancy At 17 Weeks?
- Should You Get An Ultrasound At 17 Weeks Pregnant?
- Can You Detect A Heartbeat At 17 Weeks Pregnant?
- What Are The Common Symptoms When You Are 17 Weeks Pregnant?
- How Big Is A Baby At 17 Weeks Pregnant?
- What Are The Common Miscarriage Symptoms At 17 Weeks Pregnant?
- What Precautions Should I Take To Maintain My Health At 17 Weeks Pregnant?
- How Do You Calculate Your Due Date From 17 Weeks Pregnant?
- What Body Changes Should You Expect At 17 Weeks Pregnant?
- How Can You Prepare For Pregnancy?
Key Points
- Your baby is about the size of a pomegranate
- Your baby can now move their eyes, has fingertips and unique fingerprints
- Your baby is growing rapidly, with your bump becoming more visible
- Your body is experiencing an increased blood flow, with your blood circulation slowing as it travels to your baby, too, and it can cause you to feel dizzy
- Your baby’s movements might be felt as flutterings or bubbling
- You might experience headaches, pains in your stomach, and swollen or bleeding gums this week
- You might gain weight this week; it is normal as your baby grows
What Does It Mean To Be 17 Weeks Pregnant?
At seventeen weeks pregnant, you are in your second trimester,, and your baby is developing quickly. Some healthy weight gain might be noticeable as your baby bump grows and your waist starts to disappear.
You might feel dizzy this week, but don’t worry; it is common. Progesterone, a pregnancy hormone, causes your blood vessels to relax and widen. This is to ensure that adequate blood flow reaches your baby, and it can cause you to feel dizzy as it slows blood flow. Don’t worry, this is normal!
You might also feel your baby move for the first time at seventeen weeks pregnant. Not every woman will feel their baby at this stage, but those who do notice flutterings or a bubbling. This might be more obvious after you have eaten or when you rub your stomach and speak to your baby. You can try doing this to see if you can detect any movements.
At seventeen weeks pregnant, some women notice changes to their mental health, feeling more stressed and anxious than normal. This is to be expected; your body is growing another human with hormone levels fluctuating, no one you feel different to usaul! Speak to your doctor or midwife for some support with this.
Can You Detect Pregnancy At 17 Weeks Pregnant?
Yes, you can detect pregnancy at seventeen weeks. By now, you will have missed four periods, and, should take a pregnant test if you have not already test. You can use a home test that will measure the levels of human chorionic gonadotropin, hCG, in your urine. hCG, also known as the pregnancy hormone, increases rapidly in your body throughout the first three to four months of your pregnancy, before decreasing.
At seventeen weeks, the levels are still high enough to give a positive pregnancy test result. You can also have a blood test performed by your doctor to confirm a pregnancy. The blood test also measures the hCG levels in your body to determine your pregnancy.
At this stage in your pregnancy, an ultrasound can also be used to confirm your pregnancy. It will also be used to date your pregnancy if you have not already had a scan or cannot remember the date of your last period.
Should You Get An Ultrasound At 17 Weeks Pregnant?
You can have an ultrasound at seventeen weeks pregnant. Some women will be offered a scan at seventeen weeks if their doctor wants to check for any abnormalities or if there are complications in the pregnancy. This can seem scary, but try not to panic. Your doctor might ask for an ultrasound, for many reasons, and they aren’t all bad news.
You can also pay privately for an ultrasound at seventeen weeks if you want. You will be called for another ultrasound during your second trimester of pregnancy, but some women choose to have the opportunity to see their growing baby again!
At seventeen weeks, the ultrasound will show you your baby, and it will look more like a baby than before! You will see their head, now with facial expressions, their body getting bigger, and their fingers and toes. Their arms and legs should move more now, so they might wriggle a lot in the ultrasound.
Your sonographer can measure your baby and let you know how they are developing, and you will hear the heartbeat too. Your healthcare provider can offer more information on whether you need a seventeen week ultrasound and if one is freely available to you.
Are There Any Other Scans Or Tests I Should Consider At 17 Weeks Pregnant?
The following tests will be offered to you throughout your second trimester of pregnancy, including week seventeen. These include:
- A glucose screening to check for gestational diabetes
- A multiple marker test to look for neural tube defects and Down’s syndrome
- An Amniocentissi to check the amniotic fluid around your baby for chromosomal disorders or genetic problems
- Percutaneous umbilical blood sampling to detect disorders in your foetus (this is usually done after 18 weeks but can be offered earlier)
You might be offered other tests for genetic conditions like thyroid disease, hepatitis C, and tuberculosis. Whether you are offered these or not often depends on your and your family’s medical history. These tests aren’t compulsory, so you don’t have to have them unless you choose to. Your healthcare provider can offer you more information and guidance about these tests.
Can You Detect A Heartbeat At 17 Weeks Pregnant?
You can detect a heartbeat at seventeen weeks pregnant! In your first ultrasound,, you will likely hear your baby’s heartbeat, and you can listen to it again at seventeen weeks pregnant. In your second trimester, your midwife will invite you to listen to your baby’s heartbeat.
A Doppler machine is used to detect the heartbeat. It looks like a small microphone that is placed on your stomach, allowing you to hear your baby’s heartbeat! You can also purchase home Doppler machines to listen to your baby’s heartbeat. They can be tricky to use, especially if your baby is moving, so don’t panic if you can’t hear the heartbeat straight away.
Any ultrasound you have at seventeen weeks pregnant will also detect your baby’s heartbeat. The heartbeat should have a rate of 120 to 160 beats per minute, about twice your speed. Your doctor or midwife can talk you through the heart rate if needed.
What Are The Common Pregnancy Symptoms At 17 Weeks Pregnant?
The common pregnancy symptoms at week seventeen include tiredness and trouble sleeping, bleeding and swollen gums, and pain on the side of your stomach. These pains are caused by your expanding womb, known as round ligament pains, and will feel like a sharp pain.
The severity and frequency of these symptoms vary from day to day and woman to woman. You should speak to your midwife or doctor for any concerns about these symptoms.
Is There Any Change To HCG Levels At 17 Weeks Pregnant?
Your hCG levels fall at week seventeen, ranging between 8,240 and 51,793 mlU/ml.
Should I Expect Any Cramping At 17 Weeks Pregnant?
Cramping can happen at seventeen weeks pregnant, but most women experience sharp pains or a dull ache in their abdomen or on the sides. These are known as round ligament pains caused by your expanding womb.
Will I Experience Morning Sickness At 17 Weeks Pregnant?
Morning sickness usually occurs during the first trimester, but you can experience it at seventeen weeks pregnant. Morning sickness tends to be less frequent or severe at this stage in your pregnancy.
Will My Breasts Feel Tender At 17 Weeks Pregnant?
Your breasts might feel tender or sore at seventeen weeks pregnant. You might also notice that they feel full or ache, with some women having their milk come in.
Will I Have Food Cravings At 17 Weeks Pregnant?
Food cravings can happen at any point in your pregnancy, including your second trimester.
Will I Pass Urine More Frequently At 17 Weeks Pregnant?
Passing urine more frequently can happen at seventeen weeks pregnant. You should notice that the need to urinate frequently subsides a little as your womb moves up and relieves some pressure on your bladder.
Will I Feel Tiredness Or Fatigue At 17 Weeks Pregnant?
Tiredness or fatigue can happen at seventeen weeks pregnant, especially if you struggle to sleep. Most women will find sleeping uncomfortable as their growing baby takes shape and increases their pregnant belly. Try using pillows between your knees or near your belly to make sleeping more comfortable.
Will I Feel Bloated At 17 Weeks Pregnant?
Feeling bloated is common at seventeen weeks pregnant. You can combat bloating by eating smaller meals throughout the day and avoiding eating late at night.
Will I Get A Headache At 17 Weeks Pregnant?
Headaches are common at seventeen weeks pregnant. Typically, women who suffer from headaches before pregnancy will experience more headaches during pregnancy than others.
Will I Experience A Metallic Taste In My Mouth At 17 Weeks Pregnant?
A metallic taste in your mouth is common during your first trimester of pregnancy and can still happen at seventeen weeks pregnant.
Will I Have A Heightened Sense Of Smell At 17 Weeks Pregnant?
A heightened sense of smell usually occurs during the first trimester of pregnancy, but you can still experience it at seventeen weeks pregnant.
Can You Experience Shortness Of Breath At 17 Weeks Pregnant?
Shortness of breath does not usually happen until later in your pregnancy. Speak to your doctor if you experience shortness of breath at seventeen weeks pregnant.
Is It Normal To Get Diarrhea At 17 Weeks Pregnant?
Diarrhea can happen at seventeen weeks pregnant, but it is unlikely to be related to your pregnancy. A stomach bug, food poisoning, or a food allergy will likely cause it.
Can You Get Vaginal Discharge At 17 Weeks Pregnant?
Vaginal discharge can happen throughout pregnancy, including at seventeen weeks pregnant. This should be white or milky; any blood or discharge with a strong smell should be reported to your doctor.
Will I Experience Lower Back Pain At 17 Weeks Pregnant?
Lower back pain is common in pregnancy, especially at seventeen weeks pregnant. As your baby bump grows and the baby and placenta become heavier, your back can ache or feel sore.
Will I Experience Mood Swings At 17 Weeks Pregnant?
Mood swings are more common in the first trimester of pregnancy but can still happen at seventeen weeks pregnant. The changing hormone levels in your body can cause mood swings, but these should subside soon.
Is Spotting Normal At 17 Weeks Pregnant?
Spotting can happen at seventeen weeks pregnant and is normal and harmless in small amounts. However, if the bleeding worsens, speak to your doctor immediately.
What Other Symptoms Are Common When 17 Weeks Pregnant?
Other common symptoms at seventeen weeks pregnant include the following:
- Nosebleeds
- Constipation
- Heartburn
- Indigestion
- Leg cramps
- Shinier and thicker hair
- Spotty and oily skin
- Brown patches or darkened skin on your face
- Vaginal infections
- Urine infections
- Dizziness
- Feeling hot
- Swollen feet and hands
How Big Is A Baby At 17 Weeks Pregnant?
At seventeen weeks pregnant, your baby is about the size of a pomegranate. They will measure roughly 12cm long from crown to rump. At seventeen weeks, your baby’s development is progressing quickly!
They can now react to loud noises, open and close their mouth, and move their eyes! Their eyes will remain shut, but the ability to move them is there. The fingernails are growing and will have their own fingerprints!
Can You Feel The Baby At 17 Weeks Pregnant?
At week seventeen, many women notice the first signs of their baby moving. This can feel like rolling, fluttering, or bubbling, and at this point, the movements can feel quite subtle.
Your baby might move more after meals, when relaxing, listening to loud music, and if you rub your belly or talk to your baby.
Not all women will feel any movements this week, so don’t panic if you don’t notice any!
What Are The Common Symptoms Of Miscarriage At 17 Weeks Pregnant?
At seventeen weeks pregnant, the common symptoms of miscarriage are bleeding and abdominal pain. These pains might feel like bad period cramps, while other women experience contractions similar to those in labour. The bleeding might start as light bleeding, but quickly become heavier.
In some cases, your waters may break and you will deliver your baby quickly. At this stage in a pregnancy, any miscarriages will be delivered. Your doctor might give you medication to speed this up or you might be allowed to wait for labour to start naturally at home.
In some instances, women have no symptoms and will not know until they attend their next ultrasound or antinatal appointment.
What Are The Chances Of Miscarriage At 17 Weeks Pregnant?
The chance of a miscarriage at seventeen weeks pregnant is 0.4%. Research by datayze found that the chance of miscarriage reduces at seventeen weeks when compared to earlier weeks in their Miscarriage Probability Chart.
This is based on the average pregnancy and does not take into consideration pevious complications, health conditions, or other factors.
What Precautions Should I Take To Maintain My Health At 17 Weeks Pregnant?
Several precautions to maintain your health in pregnancy are outlined below.
Take Prenatal Vitamins
You should start taking prenatal vitamins if you have not already. These provide your body with the vitamins and minerals it needs, and your baby too. Prenatal vitamins can help with the development of your baby, and it is recommended that you take folic acid and vitamin D throughout your pregnancy.
You can purchase a multivitamin for pregnancy that offers these, but check the dosage on the label to ensure you are getting the correct amount. Your midwife or doctor can provide you with some assistance where needed.
Enjoy A Balanced Diet
Where possible, enjoy a healthy and balanced diet while pregnant. This will provide you and your baby with the fuel and nutrients you need throughout pregnancy.
A diet of lean protein, carbohydrates, fruits and vegetables, and healthy fats is best throughout pregnancy. While you will notice weight gain at this stage in your pregnancy, you don’t need to start eating for two. Use the recommendation of consuming 2,000 calories a day unless you are told otherwise by your doctor.
Stay Hydrated
You should also stay hydrated during pregnancy, drinking water where possible. Not only is drinking water throughout pregnancy helps to protect your spinal cord and lubricate joints, according to research by the Centers for Diseases Control and Prevention (CDC).
The American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists also found that staying hydrated helps aid digestion and form the amniotic fluid around the fetus. They recommend drinking eight to twelve cups of water daily throughout pregnancy.
Stop Smoking
You should stop smoking as soon as you discover you are pregnant. According to the CDC, smoking throughout pregnancy can double your risk of abdominal bleeding in delivery and pregnancy, increase your baby’s chance of a birth defect, and stunts their development,.
Your doctor can provide you with any support you need to help you stop smoking.
Are There Any Foods I Should Avoid At 17 Weeks Pregnant?
At seventeen weeks pregnant, the following foods should be avoided.
- Raw juices and smoothies
- Highly processed foods
- Soft cheeses
- Unpasteurised dairy and dairy products
- Unwashed fruits and vegetables
- Raw sprouts
- Organ meat
- Raw or undercooked eggs
- Deli or processed meat
- Raw or undercooked meat
- Raw or undercooked fish
- Seafood with high mercury content
Are There Any Drinks I Should Avoid At 17 Weeks Pregnant?
You should avoid all alcoholic drinks during your pregnancy as it can increase your chances of a miscarriage and affect your baby’s development, according to the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. There is no safe amount of alcohol recommended to consume during pregnancy.
You should also reduce your caffeine intake to 200mg of caffeine a day. Too much caffeine while pregnant can increase the risk of stillbirth or miscarriage, according to the Royal College of Midwives.
Are There Any Supplements I Should Avoid At 17 Weeks Pregnant?
You should avoid high doses of vitamins A, C, and E during pregnancy, as these can harm your baby. You should also avoid all supplements that are unsuitable for pregnancy. The label on the supplement bottle will tell you if they are suitable to take during pregnancy or not.
Can I Exercise While 17 Weeks Pregnant?
You can exercise while you are seventeen weeks pregnant, but there are some exercises you should avoid. Contact sports, sports where you could fall or involve excessive bouncing, should be avoided. You should also consider swapping high-impact exercises like aerobics and running for low-impact activities like swimming or walking.
Providing you feel comfortable, you can continue running if you regularly ran before your pregnancy. You might find that you need to tweak or shorten your previous workouts to suit your new energy levels; this is completely normal.
Your doctor can guide you for suitable exercises if you have an injury or there are complications to your pregnancy.
Is It Safe To Travel When 17 Weeks Pregnant?
It is safe to travel at seventeen weeks pregnant, but there are some precautions you should take. You should speak to your doctor if you have pregnancy complications that could impact travel. You should also talk to them beforehand if you have high blood pressure or deep vein thrombosis.
When travelling to another country, check for any vaccinations you need or any advisories in place for pregnant women.
Are There Any Acitivites I Should Avoid At 17 Weeks Pregnant?
The following activities should be avoided at seventeen weeks pregnant.
- Roller coasters, bumper cars, and water slides
- Motorcycles and four-wheelers
- Contact sports
- Diving
- Downhill skiing
- Gymnastics
- Hot Yoga
- Hot pilates
- Horseriding
- Hot tubs
- Sauna
- Scuba diving
- Skydiving
- Snowboarding
- Waterskiing
- Cleaning cat litter
- Horseriding
- Hot tubs
- Sauna
- Scuba diving
- Skydiving
- Snowboarding
- Waterskiing
- Cleaning cat litter
Is It Safe To Have Sex When 17 Weeks Pregnant?
It is considered safe to have sex at seventeen weeks pregnant unless you are told otherwise by your doctor or midwife.
How Should I Sleep At 17 Weeks Pregnant?
You might find that you struggle to sleep at 17 weeks pregnant. You can try sleeping on your side with pillows to support your pregnant belly or any aches, sleep with a pillow between your knees, or meditate to help you fall asleep.
What Position Is It Safe To Sleep In When 17 Weeks Pregnant?
At seventeen weeks pregnant, sleeping on your left side during pregnancy is considered safe. This helps with your circulation and should be your sleeping position during pregnancy.
How Do You Calculate Your Due Date From 17 Weeks Pregnant?
The best way to calculate your due date is to use the date of your last menstrual period. This is the LMP method, a common method used to estimate due dates. Take the first day of your last period and count forward forty weeks or 280 days. This will provide you with an estimated due date to work towards.
Your doctor can also calculate due dates once you have had an ultrasound, The first ultrasound, the dating scan, is where your doctor will measure your baby and use the size to determine how far along the pregnancy is. This will allow them to give you an estimated due date, providing your baby is developing normally.
Due dates are just estimates, with many women giving birth before or after their due date, so don’t worry if your due date passes you by and your baby does not arrive.
What Body Changes Should You Expect At 17 Weeks Pregnant?
The most noticeable body change at seventeen weeks pregnant is your growing bump. As your baby grows and its placenta, your womb stretches, moving up and out of your pregnancy. Your waist will disappear, and you will start to look obviously pregnant.
The placenta now weighs roughly 500g, growing as it feeds your baby and removes waste. This adds to the weight and size of your pregnant belly.
You might also notice weight gain this week as your body grows and changes. This is normal, and at this stage, there is no need to consume extra calories to fuel the weight gain. Continue enjoying a healthy and balanced diet instead.
Another change women notice is in their mental health. According to the NHS, 1 in 10 women feel anxious or stressed during pregnancy. Hormones come into play here, too, making minor issues feel overwhelming. You don’t need to go through this alone, though. There is plenty of support available to you through your midwife and doctor, reach out to them about these feelings, and there will be access to a huge support network for you!
Stretch marks are another change that women notice in their bodies. As your skin stretches around your growing baby bump, you might see stretch marks appear. These red or purple marks can be found across your belly, breasts, legs, and thighs. Stretch marks are not harmful and will fade to silver once the baby is born. Several creams or lotions you can apply, like cocoa and shea, can help reduce the appearance of stretch marks. After the birth of your baby, some women opt to have their stretch marks lasered off, but this is not necessary. For many women, they are a mark of the amazing thing their body did, growing a human!
What Is Your Body Doing During This Process?
Your body is working hard at seventeen weeks pregnant. The womb is moving up your body, and as it grows, becomes more obvious that you are pregnant. This does provide some relief to your bladder, although sharp or dull pains on the side of your abdomen are to be expected.
It is also pumping more blood through your system than normal to keep you and your baby going. The progesterone in your body is causing your blood vessels to widen and relax. This is to ensure that there is enough blood reaching your baby, but it can slow your blood flow and cause your blood pressure to drop slighyl. Some women experience dizziness when this happens, you should speak to your doctor if you are worried about this.
How Can You Prepare For Pregnancy?
Below are some tips that will help you prepare for an upcoming or the rest of your pregnancy.
Maintain A Healthy Weight
Weight gain is expected in pregnancy, and for many women, putting on a few pounds isn’t a cause for concern. However, you should try to maintain a healthy weight where possible. For some women, this might involve losing weight before conception or during pregnancy, and others putting on weight.
Every woman is different here and you should speak to your doctor about what your healthy weight is and how to maintain it. A healthy and balanced diet with regular exercise is likely to be recommended.
Make Lifestyle Changes
You might need to make some lifestyle changes such as stopping smoking, drinking alcohol, and taking illegal drugs. All of these have a dsetrimental effect on your health and your abby’s health.
Speak to a socotor if you need support making these lifestyle changes.
Reach Out For Mental Health Support
It is vital that you reach out to access support for your methal health before and during pregnancy. Many women can feel anxious, stressed, or even depressed when pregnant, with post natal depression impacting many women after birth too.
Speak to your healthcare provider, doctor, or local mental health support team if you need help. Not only can they offer you support, but point you in the right direction for long term support too.
Join A Pregnancy Class
Not every woman wants to do this, but a pregnancy and birthing class can be helpful as you prepare for pregnancy and birth. Not only are these fantastic places to access information, but they can connect you to other expecting mothers in the area.
Here you could find new friends that will offer you support and companionship as your pregnancy progresses.
Final Thoughts
Week seventeen of a pregnant is an exciting one. You might notice that your baby is moving, feeling fluttering and bubbling! As your baby bump gorws, your symptoms will change slightly, with stomach pains and heacahes. But don’t worry, these will subside as your second trimester continues.